Uptake of meta-iodobenzylguanidine by bovine chromaffin granule membranes

meta-Iodobenzylguanidine, an adrenal imaging agent used for the scintigraphic detection of human pheochromocytoma, is a substrate for the monoamine uptake system of chromaffin granules. It is accumulated by bovine chromaffin granule membrane vesicles in the presence of ATP, and it can be released by an osmotic shock. The uptake is dependent upon the generation of an H+-electrochemical gradient by an ATP-dependent H+ pump since it is blocked by an H+ ionophore and since meta-iodobenzylguanidine uptake can be driven by imposing an artificial pH gradient (inside acidic) on the membrane vesicles. The transport is saturable and its Km value (2.0 microM at pH 8.0) is similar to that of noradrenaline (5.3 microM). Transport occurs through the monoamine transporter since it is blocked by the same inhibitors, tetrabenazine and reserpine, and also by the transporter substrates noradrenaline and serotonin. Noradrenaline inhibits meta-iodobenzylguanidine uptake competitively (Ki = 13 microM). In addition, meta-iodobenzylguanidine displaces dihydrotetrabenazine and reserpine from their binding sites on chromaffin granule membranes. It is thus likely that, after in vivo administration, [131I] meta-iodobenzylguanidine is ultimately stored in chromaffin granules and that it is translocated by the monoamine transporter.

[Molecular pharmacology of the catecholamine transporter of chromaffin granules from the bovine adrenal medulla]

Tetrabenazine (TBZ) and reserpine are two inhibitors of the catecholamine uptake system of the chromaffin granule membrane. They are structural analogs of the substrates dopamine and serotonin and they inhibit the monoamine transporter, which catalyzes a H+/neutral amine antiport. [3H]Dihydrotetrabenazine ([3H]TBZOH) is bound by chromaffin granule membranes on one class of site (T sites, KD = 3 nM); [3H]reserpine is bound on T sites and a second class of site (R1 sites, KD = 0.7 nM). The two sites are involved in monoamine translocation. The substrates displace the ligands with different efficiency: noradrenaline (Km = 10 microM) displaces reserpine efficiently (EC50 = 30 microM), but TBZOH poorly (EC50 = 2000 microM); m-iodobenzylguanidine, which has recently been shown to be a substrate of the monoamine uptake system (Km = 5 microM), displaces TBZOH efficiently (EC50 = 25 microM), but reserpine inefficiently (EC50 = 300 microM). Since both substrates are translocated by the same transporter, this result confirms the existence of two sites with different properties. T sites are characterized by a linear relationship between the reciprocal of the dissociation constants of various drugs displacing [3H]TBZOH and their partition coefficient in octanol/H2O mixtures. This relationship, which indicates a hydrophobic environment of T sites, does not exist for R1 sites. T sites have been identified by covalent labeling with a derivative of TBZ coupled to an arylazido group. The labeled sites are borne by a 65,000 dalton protein. The kinetics of reserpine binding are accelerated in the presence of ATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Catecholaminergic innervation of the septal area in man: immunocytochemical study using TH and DBH antibodies

The catecholaminergic innervation of the human septal area and closely related structures has been visualized by using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) as immunocytochemical markers. TH-like immunoreactivity with no corresponding DBH labelling was considered to be indicative of dopaminergic fibers. Catecholaminergic innervation offered the following similarities to that of rodents: moderate innervation in the medial septal division, with predominant DBH immunolabelling; dense dopaminergic innervation in the lateral septal nuclei, organized in a laminar pattern; presence of dopaminergic pericellular arrangements in the dorsal septum and bed n. of the stria terminalis; clustering of dopaminergic terminals in n. accumbens associated with a medioventral zone of DBH-like immunoreactive fibers; close overlap between dopaminergic fields and acetylcholinesterase-reactive zones in both the lateral septum and the n. of the stria terminalis. Differences with the catecholaminergic septal innervation of rodents consisted of general caudal extension of the dopaminergic fields, possibly accounted for by the vertical stretching and caudal displacement of the septal nuclei in man; complementary lateromedial topography of dopaminergic and DBH-immunoreactive inputs in the n. of the stria terminalis as opposed to their dorsoventral organization in rodents; presence of TH-immunolabelled cell group in the anterior olfactory nucleus and parolfactory cortex, which seems specific for primates. Precise topographical mapping of the catecholaminergic structures in this central region of the limbic forebrain seems to be a prerequisite for accurate tissue sampling in the biochemical investigations of pathological cases and should help in the interpretation of aminergic dysfunction in a variety of human diseases.

Photoaffinity labeling of the tetrabenazine binding sites of bovine chromaffin granule membranes

An azido derivative of tetrabenazine, a specific inhibitor of the monoamine carrier of chromaffin granule membranes, has been synthesized. In the dark, this compound, 3H-labeled N-(3-isobutyl-9,10-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7-hexahydro-11bH-benzo [a]quinolizin-2-yl)-4-[(4-azido-2-nitrophenyl)amino]butanamide+ ++ ([3H]TBA), bound reversibly to purified chromaffin granule membranes. Centrifugation through SP-Sephadex columns was used to separate bound and free [3H]TBA. This technique gave low levels of nonspecific binding and allowed recovery of [3H]TBA-membrane complexes. Scatchard analysis of the data indicated one class of sites with an equilibrium dissociation constant KD of 50 nM and a density of sites of 40-50 pmol/mg of protein, consistent with reported densities of reserpine and dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites. Competition experiments showed that TBA and tetrabenazine bound to the same site. Irradiation at 435 nm of [3H]TBA-membrane mixtures induced some irreversible binding of the probe to membranes. After irreversible binding of TBA, the number of dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites was decreased, indicating that the probe was covalently bound to the monoamine carrier. [3H]TBA-membrane complexes isolated by centrifugation through SP-Sephadex columns were irradiated, and their radioactivity was analyzed by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels. A polypeptide with a molecular weight of 70 000 was labeled. This polypeptide was different from dopamine beta-hydroxylase, and it was not adsorbed on concanavalin A-Sepharose. It is proposed that the monoamine carrier of chromaffin granule membrane has an oligomeric structure, involving a 45K subunit [Gabizon, R., Yetinson, T., & Schuldiner, S. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 15145] and a 70K subunit.

In vitro translation of human pheochromocytoma messenger RNAs: characterization of tyrosine-hydroxylase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase

mRNAs extracted from human pheochromocytoma were translated in vitro in a lysate of a rabbit reticulocytes. Two enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway of the catecholamines, tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), were characterized as translation products after immunoprecipitation by specific antisera and electrophoretic analysis. The precursor of TH is a polypeptide having a molecular mass of 62,000 identical to that found for the mature protein. The molecular mass of the precursor of DBH 73,000 while that of the mature form is 79,000. TH and DBH have been translated from mRNAs having sedimentation coefficients of 22S and 25S, respectively.

Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide inhibits the monoamine carrier of bovine chromaffin granule membrane

The monoamine carrier of bovine chromaffin granule membrane catalyzes a H+/neutral amine antiport. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) inhibits this carrier in a time- and concentration -dependent manner as shown by the following evidence: it inhibits the carrier-mediated pH gradient driven monoamine uptake without collapsing the pH gradient; it affects the binding of the specific inhibitors [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine and [3H]reserpine. The DCCD inhibition of the carrier occurs in the same concentration range as that of the ATP-dependent H+ translocase. Saturation isotherms of [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding indicate that DCCD decreases the number of binding sites without any change of the equilibrium dissociation constant. Kinetic studies of DCCD inactivation indicate that the modification of only one amino acid residue is responsible for the inhibition. Preincubation of the membranes with tetrabenazine protects the carrier against inactivation by DCCD: in this case, [2-3H] dihydrotetrabenazine binding and pH gradient driven monoamine uptake are restored after washing out of DCCD and tetrabenazine. We suggest the existence in the monoamine carrier of a carboxylic acid involved in H+ translocation, similar to those demonstrated not only in F0-F1 ATPases but also in cytochrome c oxidase, mitochondrial cytochrome b-c1 complex, and nucleotide transhydrogenase. Protonation-deprotonation of this group would affect the binding of [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine by the carrier.

Incorporation of chromaffin granule membranes into large-size vesicles suitable for patch-clamp recording

Incubation of chromaffin granules with excess liposomes at pH 6.0 resulted in the formation of cell-size structures, which were purified by centrifugation on sucrose gradients. Experiments with fluorescein-labeled granules indicated incorporation of granule membrane to these structures. The preparation contained various vesicular structures with a diameter up to 15 micron. The largest elements were studied by the 'patch-clamp' technique. 'Cell-attached' and 'whole-cell' recordings indicated the presence of currents corresponding to unitary conductances ranging from 100 to 500 pS.

Tyrosine hydroxylase in "leaky" adrenal medullary cells: evidence for in situ phosphorylation by separate Ca2+ and cyclic AMP-dependent systems

The systems responsible for phosphorylating tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme of catecholamine biosynthesis, were investigated in situ in adrenal medullary cells made permeable to solutes of up to 1,000 dalton by exposure to brief intense electric fields. Two different phosphorylation systems were found. One is dependent on Ca2+, the other on cyclic AMP. The Ca2+-dependent system is half-maximally activated by 1-2 microM Ca2+ and 0.5 mM ATP, and follows a time course similar to that of secretion of catecholamines. Trifluoperazine (0.1 mM) does not inhibit significantly Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in situ. The cyclic AMP-dependent system is half-maximally activated by addition of 0.5 microM cyclic AMP and about 0.3 mM ATP. Ca2+-dependent and cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylations of tyrosine hydroxylase have roughly the same time course and are additive under conditions where one system is already saturated. Peptide maps of immunoprecipitated tyrosine hydroxylase, after in situ phosphorylation of the enzyme either in the presence of 10(-8)M Ca2+ plus 2 X 10(-5)M cyclic AMP or of 10(-5)M Ca2+, show a marked difference indicating that the enzyme contains several phosphorylation sites. At least one of these sites is phosphorylated only by the Ca2+-dependent system, whereas the other site(s) are phosphorylated by both the Ca2+- and cyclic AMP-dependent systems. The effect of in situ phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase on its enzymatic activity was also investigated.

Characterization of the monoamine uptake system in catecholamine storage vesicles isolated from a pheochromocytoma taken from a child

The catecholamine storage vesicles of a pheochromocytoma taken from a child have been isolated and characterized. The tumor contained almost exclusively noradrenaline and a large proportion of this amine was vesicle-bound. The noradrenaline-containing vesicles showed great resemblance to bovine chromaffin granules. Their catecholamine and dopamine beta-hydroxylase contents were that of chromaffin granules; their morphology and density were similar to those of the subpopulation of these granules that contain noradrenaline. The pheochromocytoma vesicles contained in their membranes an abundant polypeptide of mol. wt 110,000, which was not apparent in bovine adrenal medulla vesicle membranes. Monoamine uptake by pheochromocytoma noradrenaline vesicles did not differ significantly from that observed in bovine chromaffin granules. The time-course, plateau level and KM for noradrenaline were similar for both types of organelles. Both had an oligomycin-resistant ATPase with similar properties. Investigations using the tetrabenazine derivative [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine (2-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-9,10-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,6, 7-hexahydro-11b-H-benzo[a]quinolizine), which binds specially to the bovine chromaffin granule monoamine carrier indicated that granule membranes from the tumor have a 10-fold increased number of [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites, with no change in dissociation constant. As in the case of bovine chromaffin granules, [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine can be totally displaced by noradrenaline and serotonin. To account for the discrepancy observed between the uptake data (which indicated no difference with bovine chromaffin granules) and the [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding studies (which showed a large excess of binding sites in the tumor membranes), we propose that granules in the investigated tumor contained a large amount of inactive monoamine carrier.

Reduction of chronic psychosocial hypertension in mice by decaffeinated tea

The effects of decaffeinated green tea on CBA mice have been contrasted with those of water during 3 to 5 months of exposure to various intensities of social stress. Intensity was modified by using different types of caging: Henry-Stephens complex population cages for maximum stress, open field population cages for intermediate levels, and siblings in standard mouse boxes for minimal stress. Two population densities were used: high, with 16 males and 16 females per population cage; and low, with approximately half this number. In three sets of experiments, 58 comparisons were made between body weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, scarring, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), adrenal and heart weights, plasma corticosterone, adult male mortality, and number of weanlings of those on decaffeinated green tea and matched groups on water. Twenty-five of the comparisons indicated less arousal with the decaffeinated green tea and in none was the water favored. Blood pressure fell from 150 to 133 mm Hg. These results support the proposal that the polyphenols (bioflavonoids) of tea may have a beneficial sedative action.

Transfer of renovascular hypertension and coronary heart disease by lymphoid cells from SLE-prone mice

Among early life SLE mice, the male F1 hybrids of NZW X BXSB crosses are unique by their much earlier onset of glomerulonephritis (GN) (evident by 2 1/2 months of age), progressive hypertension, and high frequency of degenerative cardiovascular disease (CVD) with myocardial infarcts. In contrast, their female counterparts and the other kinds of SLE mice have later onset of GN, minimal hypertension, and lower incidence of CVD. The etiopathogenesis of these F1 males' disease was investigated by reciprocally transferring syngeneic lymphoid cells into lethally irradiated F1 male and female mice. As a result, female recipients of male lymphoid cells developed accelerated GN, hypertension, and severe CVD, but the male recipients of female lymphoid cells (at comparable ages) had delayed SLE, remained normotensive, and were spared coronary or myocardial damage. These findings strongly indicate that the hypertension and CVD of these F1 males originate from immunologic abnormalities rather than from other nonlymphoid factors.

Reserpine binding to bovine chromaffin granule membranes. Characterization and comparison with dihydrotetrabenazine binding

[3H]Reserpine bound reversibly in vitro to chromaffin granule membranes. Binding was temperature-dependent and slow, and had biphasic kinetics. The addition of ATP accelerated the kinetics, which became monophasic and comparable to those of [3H] dihydrotetrabenazine, without affecting the binding equilibrium constants. The ATP effect was related to H+ -electrochemical gradient generation by the granule membrane H+ pump. Binding of reserpine to chromaffin granule membranes occurred on two classes of sites: R1, Bmax = 7 pmoles/mg of protein and KD = 0.7 nM, and R2, Bmax = 60 pmoles/mg of protein and KD = 25 nM. Sites R2 were considered to be equivalent to [3H] dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites, as the densities of the R2 and the [3H] dihydrotetrabenazine binding sites were similar and because tetrabenazine displaced reserpine from R2 sites. Sites R1 were tetrabenazine-resistant; they were involved in monoamine uptake, since their KD values were similar to the KI values of reserpine for noradrenaline uptake. Sites R1 were less abundant than sites R2 on chromaffin granule membranes, but they were present at the same concentration in intact chromaffin granules. We propose that the monoamine carrier exists in two forms: (a) an active form bearing both high- and low-affinity sites for reserpine and (b) an inactive form with only the low-affinity R2 sites.

The role of hypertension in the vascular disease and myocardial infarcts associated with murine systemic lupus erythematosus

The several kinds of mice that spontaneously develop acute systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)--BXSB males, MRL/l males and females, and (NZB X W)F1 females--have a 15-20% incidence of degenerative vascular disease (DVD) and myocardial infarcts (MI) in which the affected coronaries contain deposits of immunoreactants, presumably in the form of immune complexes. Among the F1 hybrid crosses of SLE mice, only the (NZW X BXSB)F1, (W X B)F1 male has a significantly higher incidence of DVD/MI (80%). Search for possible causes of this high incidence of myocardial infarcts revealed several unique features of this mouse: hypertension, thrombocytosis, and early onset of circulating immune complexes and glomerulonephritis. Our attempts to prevent this DVD/MI focused on: reduction of hypertension, prevention of thrombosis, and immunosuppression. Immunosuppression by Cytoxan resulted in almost complete prevention of both the SLE disease and DVD/MI. Administration of bretylium, an antihypertensive and anti-arrhythmic agent, resulted in reduction of blood pressure and the severities of glomerulonephritis, DVD, and MI; it also slightly reduced the levels of circulating immune complexes and leukocytosis. Of the 4 antithrombotic agents used, only aspirin showed some reduction in the incidence of DVD/MI and delay of glomerulonephritis-associated mortality.

Enkephalins are associated with adrenergic granules in bovine adrenal medulla

The subcellular localization of enkephalins was studied in the bovine adrenal medulla. In the adrenal medulla enkephalins (Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 and Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8) are found free and in the form of cryptic peptides included in larger precursors. Total Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity, which includes free and cryptic peptides, was determined after a sequential enzymatic treatment with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B. Total Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity, dopamine beta-hydroxylase and catecholamines were found to have a parallel distribution in the various subcellular fractions. The bulk of the total Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity (42%) was recovered in the large granule fraction. The large granule fraction also contained 38% of the total dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity, and 42% of the total catecholamines. Enkephalins are thus concentrated in the chromaffin granules. Chromaffin granules were also separated according to the method of Terland & coworkers into two fractions: one containing the dense noradrenergic vesicles and the other containing lighter adrenergic vesicles. Total Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity was restricted to the fractions containing the lighter adrenergic vesicles. In these fractions the molar ratio of adrenaline to total Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity was 97. This study is in accord with immunocytochemical observations which have indicated that enkephalins are located in adrenergic and not in the noradrenergic cells in the bovine adrenal medulla.

Solubilization of the catecholamine carrier of chromaffin granule membranes in a form that binds substrates and inhibitors of uptake

The component of bovine chromaffin granule membrane responsible for the binding of [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine has been solubilized by treatment with detergents. The binding activity of the soluble material was measured either by equilibrium dialysis or by precipitation of the protein by poly(ethylene glycol) and filtration of the precipitate. The best yields and activities were obtained with sodium cholate, which solubilized more than 70% of the binding sites; deoxycholate had deleterious effects on the soluble activity, and among nonionic detergents, octyl beta-glucoside was the most efficient. With cholate, [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding occurred on soluble sites as judged by centrifugation of the bound material and by filtration on Sepharose 6B columns. Binding could be measured in the presence of cholate, but high detergent concentrations had a reversible inhibitory effect. The [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding characteristics of the soluble material were similar to those of the granule membrane, with one class of binding sites (KD = 23 nM, Bmax = 90 pmol/mg of protein). The association and dissociation rate constants were 0.072 X 10(6) M-1 s-1 and 1.1 X 10(-3) s-1, respectively. The pharmacological properties of the binding sites were also similar to those of the membranes. Our results thus support the view that the catecholamine carrier has been solubilized in an active conformation that binds substrates and inhibitors of uptake.

Increased vascular sensitivity to angiotensin ii in psychosocial hypertensive mice

CBA mice develop hypertension when placed in complex population cages that facilitate social interactions and competition for territory. After 1 month, these mice have normal plasma renin levels, but blockade of converting enzyme lowers blood pressure to normal. To test the possibility that this normal-renin hypertension is caused by enhanced pressor responsiveness to angiotensin II (AII), we examined the effects of AII on hindquarter and renal vasculatures from 13 hypertensive and 13 normotensive mice. Both vascular beds were pump-perfused at a constant flow with plasma substitute. Optimal perfusion flows and basal pressures were similar in hindquarter (8 ml/100 g/min; 60 mm Hg) and renal vasculatures (130 ml/100 g/min; 50 mm Hg) from normotensive and hypertensive mice. Threshold constrictor responses to AII were elicited at a significantly lower dose in both vasculatures of hypertensive mice than in those of normotensive mice. Maximal pressor responses to AII were greater in the hindquarters of hypertensive mice than in those of normotensive mice, but were not different in the renal vasculatures of the two groups. Vasoconstrictor sensitivity to norepinephrine was also increased in the hindquarters of hypertensive mice; however, the changes in threshold and maximal pressor response were less than for AII. Responsiveness to norepinephrine in the renal vasculatures of hypertensive mice was not different from that in the kidneys of normotensive mice. We conclude that the hyperresponsiveness to AII in the resistance vessels plays an important role in maintaining elevated blood pressure in this psychosocial model of hypertension.

The catecholamine carrier of bovine chromaffin granules. Form of the bound amine

The binding of [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine (2-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-9, 10-dimethoxy-1,2,3,-4,6,7-hexahydro-11bH-benzo [a]quinolizine), a tetrabenazine derivative which binds to the catecholamine carrier of chromaffin granule membranes, has been studied as a function of the pH. The number of binding sites was constant from pH 6.5 to pH 9.0, whereas the KD decreased to a minimal plateau value, obtained at pH values higher than 7.5, the drug pKa. The pH dependency of the displacement of [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine by noradrenaline was also investigated. Noradrenaline KD values derived from displacement experiments decreased logarithmically when the pH increased from 6.5 to 8.5, i.e., for pH values lower than the pKa of noradrenaline. These pharmacological data support our previous hypothesis based on kinetic data [Scherman and Henry, Eur. J. Biochem. 116:535-539 (1981)] that the monoamine carrier of the chromaffin granule membrane binds and transports neutral amines, a form of low abundancy at physiological pH but for which it has a high affinity.

Inhibition of angiotensin - converting enzyme in CBA mice with psychosocial hypertension

Captopril (SQ 14,225) was acutely administered to control mice and to mice which had developed hypertension as a result of being caged in a manner which facilitates social interactions and competition. Systolic blood pressure was measured four hours after captopril administration, and blood was taken for measurement of plasma renin activity (PRA) several days later. Captopril produced no effect on normotensive control mice living in isolation nor did it reduce the blood pressure of the hypertensive mice on days 1, 7, and 14 following their placement in the special caging, despite the fact that their PRA was significantly elevated at these times. In contrast, by 1.5 months after placement in the cages and continuing for the next 5.5 months, captopril abolished the hypertension; PRA was normal during this period. We conclude that the increased PRA existing during the early stage of this psychosocial model of hypertension is not a significant direct contributor to the hypertension, whereas the renin-angiotensin system may be essential for the maintenance of the hypertension beyond the early stage.

The enkephalinergic neuron: implications of a polyenkephalin precursor

The study of the biochemical and physiological functions of the enkephalinergic cell has greatly extended our understanding of peptidergic cells in general. In the adrenal gland, the major part of the proenkephalin-derived peptides is present as intermediates in the processing of the precursor. These peptides are contained within the adrenergic chromaffin granules, from which they are released in response to stimulation of the cell. The nature of the products released depends on the nature of the stimulus, but it appears that mature granules containing completely processed peptides are preferentially released under physiological conditions. In the brain, the presence and release of the heptapeptide that comprises the carboxyl terminus of adrenal proenkephalin suggest that similar mechanisms are operating centrally. The identity of brain and adrenal proenkephalin is further supported by the purification from brain of a large fragment of the proenkephalin molecule, synenkephalin , and the occurrence in brain of this and the other proenkephalin-derived peptides in a molar ratio close to that found in the sequence of the adrenal precursor. The processing of proenkephalin in brain appears to follow the classical models first proposed for peptide hormones (Steiner et al. 1980), which may thus be generalized to include peptide neurotransmitters/neuroregulators. In addition, the results presented in this paper indicate that enkephalins may be cotransmitters in at least two diverse systems. Enkephalins and catecholamines are colocalized in the adrenergic granules of the adrenal gland. In the brain, enkephalins and oxytocin are colocalized in the magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal oxytocinergic pathway. In both of these systems, the enkephalins are present in a molar concentration that is less than 1% of the concentration of the principal messenger. Such colocalization , coupled with the numerous active peptides that may arise from proenkephalin, suggests many elegant but complex schemes of neurotransmitter interactions. For example, release of enkephalins in the neurohypophysis may regulate oxytocin release through an action on autoreceptors of the oxytocinergic terminal. In the adrenal the coreleased enkephalins may act by regulating presynaptically the cholinergic output of the splanchnic nerve. However, further studies are needed to define clearly the physiological roles of such cotransmission . From the abundance of proenkephalin-derived peptides in the basal ganglia, it appears that enkephalins may represent the principal transmitter in some central neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Chronic interstitial nephropathy in mice induced by psychosocial stress: potentiation by caffeine

Chronic psychosocial stress in male mice produces chronic interstitial nephropathy not explained by renal vascular disease or urinary infection. Four groups of male CBA mice were studied. Group 1 and group 2 were placed in Henry-Stephens complex population cages for 5 months. Group 2 had caffeine, 800 micrograms/ml, added to their drinking water. Control groups 3 and 4 were unstressed, but group 4 had 800 micrograms/ml of caffeine added to their water. Stressed animals developed chronic interstitial nephropathy which was more severe in animals drinking caffeinated water. In addition, the percent of cortex involved in interstitial fibrosis was higher in group 2, 18.0 +/- 1.4, than in group 1, 15.2 +/- 2.3 (p less than 0.05). Both groups had more fibrosis than unstressed animals (p less than 0.01). Blood urea nitrogen was more elevated in group 2, 47 +/- 13 mg/dl, than in group 1, 29 +/- 17 mg/dl (p less than 0.05). Again both values exceeded those in unstressed animals (p less than 0.01). It is concluded that prolonged environmental stress can lead to the renal morphologic changes of chronic interstitial nephritis. Both renal pathology and function are worse when there is concurrent high caffeine intake. The relevance of this model to human disease related to analgesic use or with affective illness requires further study.

Characterization of the monoamine carrier of chromaffin granule membrane by binding of [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine

[2-3H]Dihydrotetrabenazine (2-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-9, 10-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7-hexahydro-11b-H-benzo [a]-quinolizine), a derivative of the neuroleptic tetrabenazine, binds to the membrane of purified bovine chromaffin granules. Specific binding was characterized by Kd and Bmax values of 3.1 nM and 62 pmol/mg of membrane protein, respectively. It was reversible, with association and dissociation rate constants of 0.22 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 and 1.8 x 10(-3) s-1, respectively. Binding sites were present in extracts of medulla but not in corticoadrenal extracts; in the medulla they were restricted to chromaffin granule membranes, [2-3H]Dihydrotetrabenazine binding occurred on the catecholamine carrier of the chromaffin granule membrane because it was clearly correlated with inhibition of norepinephrine uptake. In addition, inhibitors and substrates of the uptake reaction displaced [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine from its binding sites, and their potency as displacers was qualitatively correlated with their IC50 or Km. These results suggest that use of [2-3H]dihydrotetrabenazine binding might be an interesting technique in the study of the vesicular monoamine carrier.

Acido-basic properties of the catecholamine uptake inhibitors tetrabenazine and dihydrotetrabenazine

Tetrabenazine (2-oxo-3-isobutyl-9,10-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7 hexahydro-11 bH-benzo (a) quinolizine) and dihydrotetrabenazine (2-hydroxy derivative) are inhibitors of catecholamine uptake by the chromaffin granules of adrenal medulla. In the 6.6 - 8.8 pH range, inhibition by tetrabenazine was pH-independent whereas dihydrotetrabenazine efficiency increased up to pH 8.3. The fluorescence and the buffer-octanol partition coefficient of these drugs was affected by the pH. Analysis of the pH-dependency of these effects indicated the existence of an acido-basic transition characterized by a pKa of 6.0 for tetrabenazine and 7.5 for dihydrotetrabenazine and associated with protonation of the tertiary amine of these molecules. For both compounds, the neutral form was less fluorescent and more soluble in octanol. Comparison of the uptake inhibition constants IC50 and of the neutralization curves showed that this form was the biologically active one. This result implies that the monoamine carrier of chromaffin granule membrane binds either to only deprotonated amines or to the molecules present only in the lipidic phase where the neutral form is largely predominant.

Purification and reconstitution of the 32Pi-ATP exchange activity of bovine chromaffin granule membrane

Ghosts derived from bovine chromaffin granules have a 32Pi-ATP exchange activity which is associated with the H+ pump of that membrane. This activity was low when compared to bacteria, chloroplasts or submitochondrial particles, but had similar properties (Km for ATP and Pi, ATP/Mg2+ ratio, pH profile, inhibition by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and tributyltin) to the ATPase from above membranes. The 32Pi-ATP exchange activity was solubilized by cholate/octylglucoside mixtures. The soluble extract was lipid depleted by ammonium sulfate fractionation and partially purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation. The purified preparation was reconstituted with phospholipids by freeze-thawing. The reconstituted vesicles had a 32Pi-ATP exchange sensitive to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and trybutyltin and an ATPase with a sensitivity to the inhibitors which varied with the reconstitution conditions. The alpha- and beta-subunits of F1-ATPase were major components of the preparation.

Calibration and efficiency of the Einstein objective grating spectrometer

The Einstein Observatory, a large satellite dedicated to x-ray astronomy, carried the first large x-ray telescope to be placed in orbit and an objective grating spectrometer with two sets of gratings. This paper lists prelaunch calibration results and describes the derivation of spectrometer efficiency and resolution. Several calibration spectra are shown, and theoretical grating parameters are derived from the calibration results.

Existence of an adenosine 5'-triphosphate dependent proton translocase in bovine neurosecretory granule membrane

The addition of ATP to bovine neurohypophysial secretory granules suspended in isotonic sucrose medium induces a positive polarization, delta psi, of their interior without affecting their internal pH. In KCl-containing media, ATP failed to generate large delta psi but induced a pH gradient (delta pH; interior acidic). These observations are consistent with the existence in the neurosecretory granule membrane of an ATP-dependent inward electrogenic H+ translocase (H+ pump), capable in KCl-containing media of acidifying the granule matrix by H+-Cl- cotransport. The delta psi and delta pH generated by the H+ pump, defined as the ATP-induced changes sensitive to the H+ ionophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), were blocked by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, an inhibitor of all H+ pumps, and were insensitive to oligomycin, a mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor. In sucrose medium, measurements were complicated by a Donnan equilibrium reflecting the presence in the granule of peptide hormones and neurophysins which resulted in a CCCP-resistant resting delta pH. In KCl-containing media, the Donnan equilibrium was destroyed since the membrane is permeable to cations, but under these conditions a CCCP-resistant K+-diffusion potential was observed. The ATP-induced delta psi was also monitored by the extrinsic fluorescent probe bis(3-phenyl-5-oxoisoxazol-4-yl)pentamethine oxonol. The hypothesis of a granule H+ pump is further supported by the presence of an oligomycin-resistant ATPase in the preparation and the ultrastructural localization of such an activity on the granule membrane. The H+ pump has been found in both newly formed and aged neurosecretory granules. Its possible physiological function is discussed with reference to that of chromaffin granules, with which it has many similarities.

Role of subordination in nephritis of socially stressed mice

A behavioral etiology of interstitial nephritis of male CBA mice chronically exposed to psychosocial stress is suspected. The blood urea nitrogen of these animals is inversely proportional to social status as measured by behavior and the appearance of fur. Blood pressure measurement tends toward an opposite relationship. Since subordinates have difficulty urinating in the presence of dominants and suffer from overfilled bladders, their fatal tubulointerstitial involvement may originate with repeated episodes of urinary reflux.

The relation of social to biological processes in disease

A common language is developing which describes how social interaction can lead to disease. There is a consensus based on forty years of psychophysiological research that emotion is the crucial driving force in a chain of events leading from psychosocial interaction to neuroendocrine changes. These changes, in turn, can induce physiological abnormalities eventually leading to pathologic changes. The emotions involved have been presented in a model in which a sympathetic adrenal-medullary effort-relaxation axis is contrasted with a pituitary adrenal-cortical elation-dejection axis. A further pituitary-gonadotropic axis for social success as opposed to low social assets is described. Although overlapping, each system can be shown to be related to a separate neuroendocrine mechanism whose activity pattern may be either exaggerated or suppressed. Social scientists like Kemper and gender psychologists like Bakan speak of separate power (agentic) and status (communion) axes. They appear to correspond broadly to the neuroendocrine mechanisms mentioned earlier. The changes induced by emotions are sufficiently powerful to regularly override the neuroendocrine feedback controls that should restore homeostasis. These overrides will either gradually or sometimes abruptly--as in cardiac arrhythmia--lead to pathophysiological changes and so to disease states, which are eventually fatal. Although social supports and social assets are successful in keeping neuroendocrine disturbances to a minimum in a healthy society, if the milieu is disordered, one's vulnerability is increased.

Cross-cultural variation in blood pressure: a quantitative analysis of the relationships of blood pressure to cultural characteristics, salt consumption and body weight

This study has analyzed the relationships of cross-cultural variation in blood pressure to cultural characteristics, salt consumption and body weight. The data used were blood pressures for adults in 84 groups, ratings of cultural characteristics (based on anthropological data and made by raters who had no knowledge of the blood pressure data) and, where available, salt consumption and body mass index (weight/height2). Blood pressures were higher and the slopes of blood pressure with age were greater in groups which had greater involvement in a money economy, more economic competition, more contact with people of different culture or beliefs, and more unfulfilled aspirations for a return to traditional beliefs and values. Blood pressures were also higher in groups for which the predominant family type was a nuclear or father-absent family, as opposed to an extended family. For Negroes, groups who were descended from slaves had higher blood pressures than other groups. The correlations between blood pressures and involvement in a money economy were substantial and significant even after controlling for level of salt consumption and, for men, also after controlling for body mass index. For men there were also significant partial correlations between blood pressure and salt consumption, controlling for type of economy. For women there were significant partial correlations between blood pressure and body mass index, controlling for type of economy. In conclusion, cross-cultural variation in blood pressure appears to be due to multiple factors. One contributory factor appears to be psychosocial stress due to cultural disruption, including the disruption of cooperative relationships and traditional cultural patterns which frequently occurs during economic modernization. In addition, both the protective effects of very low salt consumption in some groups and differences in body weight appear to contribute to cross-cultural variation in blood pressure.

[Binding of a tetrabenazine derivative to the monoamine transporter of the chromaffin granule membrane]

[2-3H] dihydrotetrabenazine (2-hydroxy-3-isobutyl-9-10-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4,6,7 hexahydro-11 bH-benzo [a] quinolizine), a derivative of tetrabenazine obtained by tritiated borohydride reduction, binds to the membrane of purified chromaffin granules. The binding equilibrium has been studied by filtration and by centrifugation of ligand-membrane complexes. Saturable binding sites (190 pmol/mg protein), characterized by a dissociation equilibrium constant KD = 90 nM have been described. The correlation existing between dihydrotetrabenazine site occupancy and noradrenaline uptake inhibition indicates that these sites are located on the monoamine transporter.

Psychosocial stress induces tubulointerstitial nephritis unrelated to hypertension in CBA mice

1. Groups of mice interacting socially in complex population cages become hypertensive. Some also develop fatal chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis. 2. Long-term administration of the cardioselective beta-blocker metoprolol controls stress-induced elevation of plasma renin and adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase. It also normalizes blood pressure. Despite the effectiveness of this sympathetic blockade, the incidence of nephritis was not diminished. 3. The fact that stress-induced increases of adrenal weight and plasma corticosterone persist during metoprolol treatment points to the independence of the pituitary-adrenal cortical system and its possible role in the aetiology of renal disease.

pH-dependence of the ATP-driven uptake of noradrenaline by bovine chromaffin-granule ghosts

The kinetic parameters of noradrenaline uptake by chromaffin granule ghosts have been measured at external pH values between 6.5 and 8.5. The log of the Km for noradrenaline decreased linearly with pH with a slope of -1.0, indicating that the observed affinity increase of originated in deprotonation of a single chemical group. This result is interpreted as showing that the neutral form of monoamines is the true substrate for the amine carrier. The Km of the carrier for the neutral form of noradrenaline was calculated as 0.1 microM. The maximal velocity, V, of the uptake reaction was constant from pH 6.5 to 8.0 and decreased at more alkaline pH values. Since the proton electrochemical gradient delta muH+ generated by the membrane H+-pump was independent of the pH in the range 6.5-9.5, the pH dependence of the maximal velocity of uptake reflects the pH profile of the monoamine transporter.

Solubilization and reconstitution of the adenosine 5'-triphosphate dependent noradrenaline uptake system of bovine chromaffin granule membrane

The ATP-dependent catecholamine uptake system of chromaffin granule membrane has been solubilized and reconstituted in phospholipidic vesicles. The activity of the vesicles implies that both the ATP-dependent H+-translocase and the noradrenaline carrier have been successfully reconstituted. The membrane was solubilized by sodium cholate in presence of asolectin and the asolectin to cholate ratio appeared to be critical. Omission of asolectin resulted in reconstitution of vesicles with an active H+-pump and an inactive transport system. The detergent was removed from the solubilized membranes by filtration on Sephadex G-50 and it has been verified that the residual detergent of the reconstituted preparation was below the concentration inhibitory to the ghost H+-pump. The pH-dependence, Km for ATP and Km for noradrenaline of the reconstituted vesicles were similar to those of the ghosts, but their specific activity and reserpine-resistance were somehow variable. Vesicle activity was limited by transporter reconstitution, thus suggesting that reconstitution of the complete system might be used as an assay for the transporter. The noradrenaline carrier is not physically linked to dopamine beta-hydroxylase and bears no wheat germ agglutinin binding sites.

Caffeine as an intensifier of stress-induced hormonal and pathophysiologic changes in mice

Psychosocially stressed male mice competing in a Henry-Stephens complex population cage develop hypertension, cardiovascular damage, and chronic interstitial nephritis. Their plasma renin, noradrenaline, corticosterone, and adrenal-catecholamine synthetic enzymes are increased and they die prematurely. Adding 3.3 mg of caffeine a day per kilogram of mouse body weight (the equivalent of 20 micrograms/ml decaffeinated coffee) to their drinking water significantly intensifies most of these changes. A dose of 90 mg/kg of caffeine (the equivalent of 560 micrograms/ml, i.e., brewed tea or coffee) further increases the effects. The drug-induced enhancement of competitive social stimulation of the neuroendocrine system resulted in a further increase of plasma renin and corticosterone levels as well as blood pressure and adrenal weight. These effects together with accelerated mortality and increased pathology indicate that chronic consumption of caffeinated liquids adds to the risks of psychosocial stress.

Role of the proton electrochemical gradient in monoamine transport by bovine chromaffin granules

The role of the transmembrane potential (delta phi), the proton concentration gradient (delta pH) and the proton electrochemical gradient (delta gamma H+) in monoamine uptake by bovine chromaffin granules or ghosts was investigated. In presence of ATP the permeant anion SCN- collapsed the delta phi (inside positive) and inhibited monoamine uptake by granules or well buffered ghosts. With lightly buffered ghosts, SCN- induced an acidification which resulted in a low inhibition of uptake. Cation efflux as well as anion influx affected the delta phi, and a transient valinomycin-mediated K+ efflux induced a lag in the uptake. The delta pH-driven noradrenalin uptake was also sensitive to delta phi, since superimposing a positive or a negative delta phi to the delta pH, respectively, increased or decreased the rate of noradrenalin accumulation. A delta pH was required for this increase of uptake rate, adrenalin accumulation. A delta pH was required for this increase of uptake rate, which was proportional to the delta phi. The pH-dependence of the ATP-induced monoamine uptake by granules pointed to the delta gamma H+ as the driving force. In contrast with the rate of uptake, which was not dependent on the anions present, the extent of amine incorporation was decreased when the internal anionic buffer concentration was decreased and, at a low internal buffer concentration, when ATP anion transport was blocked.

Oxonol-V as a probe of chromaffin granule membrane potentials

The dye, oxonol-V (bis(3-phenyl-5-oxoisoxazol-4-yl)pentamethine oxonol), can be used to estimate the transmembrane potential of chromaffin granules. The potentials result either from a resting-state Donnan equilibrium (inside negative at pH 6.6) or from an ATP-driven proton pump. The fluorescence and absorption changes generated by ATP addition depended on the pH of the medium and the dye-to-vesicle ratio. Energization resulted in an increase in the number of oxonol-V binding sites, the new binding sites having the same dissociation constant. The rate of dye association was higher with resting than with energized chromaffin granules. The absorption change was associated with a red shift whereas the fluorescence change involved a quenching due to the increase in dye concentration on the membrane. The absorption and fluorescence changes varied linearly with the transmembrane potential difference when the interior potential was positive relative to the medium.

Effects of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on psychosocial hypertension in mice

1. Renin-associated, chronic psychosocial hypertension of 150-160 mmHg develops in groups of mice interacting socially in complex population cages. 2. The blood pressures of 16 males in a cage were measured and an intraperitoneal injection of the angiotensin coverting enzyme inhibitor captopril (SQ 14,225) was given. Three hours later blood pressures were measured again. 3. During the first 3 weeks of psychosocial hypertension SQ 14,225 was without effect. But at 1 month and subsequently up to 7 months, SQ 14,225 reduced blood pressure to the normal range of 120-130 mmHg. 4. Plasma renin activities were not related to the extent of blood pressure reduction by SQ 14,225. Hence other factors in addition to the renin-angiotensin mechanism play a part in maintaining chronic psychosocial hypertension.

[Effect of transmembrane potential on noradrenaline transport in chromaffin granules]

Imposing a transmembrane potential positive with respect to the medium on chromaffin granule ghosts increased the initial rate of the delta pH-induced uptake of noradrenaline, whereas imposing a negative potential decreased this rate. The increase of the uptake rate was proportional to the potential. The ATP-induced uptake of noradrenaline was also sensitive to the potential since imposing a transient negative potential onto the positive potential generated by the membrane ATPase induced a latency in this transport.